Skip to content

Smoky brush fire north of Edmonton doubles in size

Firefighters were hoping Friday to contain an out-of-control brush fire north of the Alberta capital, but were wary of expected high winds that helped the blaze double in size overnight.
Alta Brush Fire 2010514
Air crews fight a brush fire burning near Opal

OPAL, Alta. — Firefighters were hoping Friday to contain an out-of-control brush fire north of the Alberta capital, but were wary of expected high winds that helped the blaze double in size overnight.

“If the wind picks up ... I guess we’ll just have to see,” said Candace Revega of the County of Thorhild, where the fire had grown to 22 square kilometres between Thursday and Friday.

“The fire is still out of control,” Revega said. “The winds are expected to pick up again.”

The area lay under a blanket of greyish-brown smoke that could be smelled in Edmonton 60 kilometres to the south. Health officials warned that the smoke could make breathing difficult for people with respiratory problems and urged them to stay inside with their windows closed.

About 150 firefighters — backed up by helicopters, bulldozers and water trucks — were on the blaze. Another 100 crew members with more equipment were expected by the afternoon.

Revega confirmed that one home and several farm outbuildings were destoyed. Residents from about two dozen area homes were warned that they might have to leave, but there were no official evacuation orders, she said.

The county declared a local state of emergency, banned fires and shut down some roads as the blaze burned near the hamlet of Opal.

The fire began Wednesday and appeared to be under control as fire crews were able to dig a guard around half the perimeter, said Revega. But high winds the next day forced crews to fall back in some spots.

Firefighters hoped to take advantage of the relative calm Friday to circle most of the fire with a guard.

“They’re hoping for it to be contained,” said Revega. “That’s their hope.